Plans for a remodel of Salina South High School have been approved. According to USD 305, the schematic design for the largest of the district’s bond projects has been approved. After a year of updates about a planning process that addresses the needs at South High School (SHS), the board of education unanimously approved schematic designs for SHS at the February 24 work session.
Board approval means that detailed design work will now begin. South High School’s structural issues will be addressed in addition to these design features:
• Controlled entryway with new administration area
• 42 new general classrooms
• New science classrooms/labs
• New Career and Technical Education (CTE) program spaces
• New art area
• New media center
• Renovations to culinary arts department
• New commons/cafeteria
• New auxiliary gym built as a storm shelter
• Renovated athletics areas (including swimming pool)
A SHS team of building staff, architects and builders began design work for physical spaces last fall. Concurrently, a CTE Task Force has been exploring program expansion and refinement, producing outcomes that are integrated into the schematic designs.
Construction at SHS is expected to begin with the new east wing which will house science, math and special education. A tentative timeline has construction beginning in late summer of 2015. Work at SHS is expected to be completed during school year 2017-18.
South High School’s schematic design is a part of the $110 million bond approved in April 2014. Both South and Central high schools are under a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) contract style. A CMR delivery method was chosen to minimize the chances of cost increases and reduce the potential for delays. At the same time, it maximizes what can be built for the money.
McCownGordon Construction, as CMR, has been involved throughout the design process, allowing the collaborative design team to make more informed design decisions. As a result of their thorough understanding of both the design and the available subcontractors in Salina, McCownGordon will be able to customize bid packages to maximize local subcontractor involvement.
Information will be available in school offices and will be included in newsletters. Regular updates are provided on the district website at www.usd305.com.
